Staff Reporter
Government is intensifying land distribution to the youths and is ready to support young farmers who want to play a role in the economic development of the nation through agriculture.
This was said last Friday by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka during the launch of the Provincial Integrated Youth Skills Development Centres and handover of heifers to youths by President Mnangagwa in Kwekwe.
“As a Ministry, we are now intensifying the 20 percent quota system for the youths so that our youths can benefit from farm allocation. We stand ready to support farmers who want to play a role in the development of their economy through farming,” said the Minister.
The Minister added that as a Ministry, they had taken heed of President Mnangagwa’s directive that there should be a dedicated youth quota in the allocation of farming land. The Minister said that Government was currently conducting a land audit that will see multiple farm owners losing land and big farms being downsized, a move that will benefit the youths.
Minister Masuka further said that measures were put in place to eliminate corruption in the allocation of land as provincial land committees were issued with comprehensive guidelines which provide uniformity of approach in land allocation and adherence to quota system.
The Minister further assured the youths who benefited from the Provincial Integrated Youth Skills Development that they will get their farms before end of July this year.
“The youths are ready for occupation of farms, ready for starting businesses and ready for the youth allocation quota of 20 percent. I can assure you that all these farmers will have gotten their farms by 31 July this year,” said the Minister.
The Minister added that Government was aware of challenges that confronts youths in agriculture and has put in place robust systems to monitor progress and challenges faced by young farmers.
Government has intensified its support for agricultural activities and is on a mission to restore Zimbabwe to its previous status of being the bread basket of Africa.
